The much-debated extension of the excise tax surcharge to support Oahu’s $6 billion rail project is still alive, and a network of medical marijuana dispensaries across the state is a real possibility.

However, a proposed state mandate to label genetically modified foods seems unlikely to survive at the Legislature this year, and bills to create “buffer zones” for pesticide use also appear to be stalled.

Last week was the Legislature’s first “crossover” deadline, when the state Senate sent its proposals to the House of Representatives for further consideration, and the House sent hundreds of its own bills to the Senate for more review and debate.

Wednesday marks the midpoint of this year’s 60-day session — a time when pundits and the people can assess the often confusing sequence of hearings, testimony, speeches and votes at the state Capitol.